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![Swim team with trophy, [1943] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/477/477-034.jpg?width=280)
Swim team with trophy
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38715
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1943]
- Collection/Fonds
- Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 12.5 x 17.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of five young people in swimming outfits and three men in suits posing in front of a trophy. Robert C.K. Peers is standing on the far right, he was a member of the Oak Bay High Swim Team.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1943]
- Collection/Fonds
- Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 12.5 x 17.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 477-034
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2007-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of five young people in swimming outfits and three men in suits posing in front of a trophy. Robert C.K. Peers is standing on the far right, he was a member of the Oak Bay High Swim Team.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Gibson, Wilfred
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
![Swim team with trophy, [1943] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/477/477-034.jpg)
Interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19610
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1942- 2023] (interview content), interviewed Jan. 2023
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 4 sound recordings (wav) (186 min., 1 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (186 min., 2 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa and Museum Registrar, James Binks. The interview was conducted on January 10, 2023 and January 24, 2023. 00:00 – 08:52 First part of interview…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 4 sound recordings (wav) (186 min., 1 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (186 min., 2 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewers: Kate Petrusa and James Binks Interviewees: Rajinder and Raj Pandher Location of Interview: Love farmhouse, Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: January 10, 2023 and January 24, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 4 Total Length of all Tracks: (3:06:01 min) Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto four separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa and Museum Registrar, James Binks. The interview was conducted on January 10, 2023 and January 24, 2023. 00:00 – 08:52 First part of interview begins on January 10. Rajinder Pander provides information on where he was born and where he grew up and shares details regarding his family and his childhood including; his elementary and high school education and experiences and his involvement and interest in the sport of field hockey. 08:53 – 23:24 Raj Pander provides information on where she was born and shares details regarding her family and education. Raj recalls details of her family life in India including her family farm, her father’s service in the Indian National Army and other ancestor’s involvement in the military. Rajinder assists with the details regarding Raj’s father’s military service and explains how he was highly decelerated for his heroic actions. Rajinder conveys further information in reference to the Sikh Empire. 23:25 – 35:53 Rajinder and Raj share information on their formal education. Raj explains how she learned English and talks about the other spoken languages that her family used while she was growing up. Rajinder and Raj recall how they first met which lead them to marry in 1971. Rajinder provides information about his older brothers who left India before him. He explains how his elder brother, Kirpal Singh Pandher immigrated to Canada in 1970 and provides details on his other brother who lived in Malaysia and England before coming to Canada in 1975. Rajinder conveys how after his brother, Kirpal Singh Pandher arrived in Canada, he lived in Campbell River and worked at the saw mill there. 35:54 – 1:01:38 Rajinder and Raj share their immigration stories including details of; what lead them to immigrate, their immigration route, what they brought with them and where they lived and worked. Rajinder and Raj tell of how they both faced discrimination in finding work that they were qualified for and describe some of the jobs that they worked at before obtaining their Real Estate licences. 1:01:39 – 1:13:09 Rajinder and Raj share information on where they’ve purchase traditional food supplies in Burnaby and Rajinder provides further details on his employment and recalls how they were able to purchase their first home in Burnaby. 1:13:10 - 1:19:33 Rajinder describes how he began writing for the Sikh newsletter “The Western Sikh Samachar”. Rajinder shares how he first started printing small pamphlets of Sikh Cultural history in 1975 and how he’s been volunteering with the National Democratic Party (NDP) since 1973. 1:19:34 - 1:38:24 Second part of interview continues on January 24, 2023. Rajinder provides further information about the Sikh newsletter “The Western Sikh Samachar”, provides an historical summary of the Sikh Empire and the Sikh religion and describes a book that’s he’s written about his culture and the village he lived in India. 1:38:25 - 1:52:24 Raj describes some of the traditional textiles that she’s created including a dury, embroidered cloth (pakha and pakhi) and clothing. Raj shares a story of a train derailment in India in which her father survived. 1:52:25 - 2:14:53 Raj Pandher talks about her father’s letters and diaries, Rajinder talks about receiving a Diamond Jubilee Medal for his community service and they both talk about their daughter Amanjit’s education and career accomplishments. Raj describes her involvement in the community council of her children’s school and both Raj and Rajinder describe their involvement in multicultural education and events that they were involved with in Burnaby and New Westminster. Interviewer lists Rajinder Pandher’s many volunteer awards and accomplishments. 2:14:54 - 2:39:53 Raj and Rajinder describe some of their family photographs as well as personal items from India including decorative arts and textiles. They talk about celebrating their 30 year wedding anniversary and the origin of their Sikh names. Rajinder describes a visit to Paldi in 1977 when the whole family was baptized at the Sikh temple and provides informaton about Hardial Singh Atwal, the first Sikh child born in Canada. Rajinder discusses what he thinks a cookhouse looked like, his friendship with former Mayor William J. Copeland and wages of South Asians working in sawmills. 2:39:54 - 3:06:01 Raj and Rajinder talk about food including where they’ve purchased traditional South Asian foods and what they grow in their home garden. Rajinder provides details about the Burnaby Multicultural Society, talks about South Asian work ethics and housing and shares some of the cultural and religious traditions of Sikhs and celebrations that take place in Vancouver and Burnaby.
- History
- Interviewees biographies: Rajinder Pandher was born five years prior to the Partition of India in the Village of Jhamat, Ludhiana District, Punjab. Raj Pandher was born in 1948 in the Village of Chapar, Ludhiana District, Punjab. Rajinder played field hockey while living in India and is passionate about the sport. Both Rajinder and Raj Pahndher attended college in India and were married in India in 1971. Rajinder Pandher immigrated to Canada in 1972 and his wife, Raj Pandher joined him in 1973. After arriving in Canada, Rajinder Pandher started working at a sawmill in Campbell River but didn't like the work and moved to Vancouver to find better employment opportunties. In 1976, the couple moved to Burnaby and rented until they could buy a home a year later. They raised two children who attended Second Street Elementary School and Cariboo Hill Secondary School in Burnaby. Rajinder and Raj Pandher were both very involved with multicultural efforts at their childlren's schools including turban tying and sari demonstrations and Rajinder was a founding member of the Burnaby Multicultural Society. Interviewers biographies: Kate Petrusa is the Assistant Curator at the Burnaby Village Museum. In her role, she manages all aspects of the collection – including caring for physical artifacts and making their digital counterpart accessible. Before coming to Burnaby Village Museum in 2019, Kate has worked at several Museums around the Lower Mainland as a Curator and contractor since 2013. James Binks has lived in the Lower Mainland since 2009 after relocating from Ontario. James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia, where he conducted researched on heritage, environment, and globalization in India, Nepal, and Italy. At Burnaby Village Museum, James contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Education
- Housing
- Employment
- Persons - South Asian Canadians
- Persons - Volunteers
- Religions - Sikhism
- Migration
- Organizations
- Organizations - Societies and Clubs
- Social Issues - Racism
- Social Issues
- Celebrations
- Sports - Field Hockey
- Names
- Pandher, Raj
- Pandher, Rajinder
- Copeland, William J.
- Pandher, Harman
- Pandher, Amanjit
- Burnaby Multicultural Society
- The Western Sikh Samachar
- Responsibility
- Petrusa, Kate
- Binks, James
- Accession Code
- BV023.1.2
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1942- 2023] (interview content), interviewed Jan. 2023
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcripts available upon request
Audio Tracks
Interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher, [1942- 2023] (interview content), interviewed Jan. 2023
Interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher, [1942- 2023] (interview content), interviewed Jan. 2023
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0001_0002_003.mp3Personal material
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82732
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1910-1978]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hazel Simnett collection
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 9 paintings : colour print, 2 photographs : b&w, and 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of application for a driver's license, Kingsway Driving School report card, driver's examination receipt and a letter addressed to Hazel Simnett from the Victorian Order of Nurses for Canada. Also included is an immigration inspection card of Fred Simnett aboard the S.S. Lake Champlai…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1910-1978]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hazel Simnett collection
- Physical Description
- 9 paintings : colour print, 2 photographs : b&w, and 1 folder of textual records
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- MSS167-008
- Accession Number
- 2013-22
- Scope and Content
- File consists of application for a driver's license, Kingsway Driving School report card, driver's examination receipt and a letter addressed to Hazel Simnett from the Victorian Order of Nurses for Canada. Also included is an immigration inspection card of Fred Simnett aboard the S.S. Lake Champlain from Liverpool and a letter from the Office of the Mayor addressed to Mary Ann Simnett for her ninetieth birthday. Also included is a photograph (see item 559-001). Also included are newsclippings regarding Robert Burnaby and the "Bygones of Burnaby" book, a programme of the Robert Burnaby Commemorative Dinner, a photocopy of "The Argus" (Burnaby South High School's newspaper) from 1938, a programme from Madys Pridmore Brown's Variety Programme, "The Buzzer" Volume 40 Issue 16 advertising Vancouver street cars, New Vista Society certificate addressed to Hazel Simnett, an envelope of Fenwick Lansdowne bird prints from 1957 and a print of the Royal Family found in a cardboard envelope postmarked 1972.
- Subjects
- Arts - Paintings
- Documentary Artifacts - Newspapers
- Documentary Artifacts - Photographs
- Performances - Concerts
- Organizations - Societies and Clubs
- Personal Symbols - Certificates
- Transportation
- Persons - Royalty
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Photograph
- Graphic Material
- Notes
- Title based on note accompanying file on folder ; The Argue was stapled together
- Simnett personal papers series
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Clinton-Glenwood Area
Graduation records
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82734
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1930-1941]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hazel Simnett collection
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of two envelopes and one dictionary. One envelope is empty and is addressed to: "To Whom it May Concern" and is from: "Hugh M. Fraser High School / 2350 Kingsway / New Westminster, BC". It most likely contained the reference letter from May 12, 1941 written by the principal of Hugh M.…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1930-1941]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hazel Simnett collection
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- MSS167-013
- Accession Number
- 2013-22
- Scope and Content
- File consists of two envelopes and one dictionary. One envelope is empty and is addressed to: "To Whom it May Concern" and is from: "Hugh M. Fraser High School / 2350 Kingsway / New Westminster, BC". It most likely contained the reference letter from May 12, 1941 written by the principal of Hugh M. Fraser Senior and Junior High Schools. The second envelope is addressed to "Miss Hazel Simnett / 4019 Kingsway / New Westminster, BC" from the Department of Education in Victoria, BC. It contains the reference letter as discussed previously, a University Entrance Examination certificate, a High School Graduation certificate from Burnaby South High School, a Grade Twelve Examination Junior Matriculation certificate and a purple and gold ribbon. The dictionary is a Nelson's "Highroads" English Dictionary. Inside an inscription reads: "Hazel Simnett / 4019 Kingsway / Burnaby / BSHS / Hazel Simnett / Kingsway West School".
- Subjects
- Personal Symbols - Certificates
- Names
- Simnett, Hazel
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Notes
- Title based on contents of file
- Simnett personal papers series
- Geographic Access
- Kingsway
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Garden Village Area
Robert C.K. Peers
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38729
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1944
- Collection/Fonds
- Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 11.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Robert Peers at Oak Bay High School in Victoria, BC, holding two trophies.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1944
- Collection/Fonds
- Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 11.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 477-048
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2007-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Robert Peers at Oak Bay High School in Victoria, BC, holding two trophies.
- Subjects
- Personal Symbols - Trophies
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Robert Peers and trophies
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38717
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1944
- Collection/Fonds
- Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 7 x 11.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Robert C.K. Peers posing in front of six trophies, three of which are identified as the Anscomb Trophy, the Murdoch Cup and the Aggregate Cup.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1944
- Collection/Fonds
- Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 7 x 11.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 477-036
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2007-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Robert C.K. Peers posing in front of six trophies, three of which are identified as the Anscomb Trophy, the Murdoch Cup and the Aggregate Cup.
- Subjects
- Personal Symbols - Trophies
- Names
- Peers, Robert C.K.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
![Willie James Field with a trophy, [194-] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/513/521-007.jpg?width=280)
Willie James Field with a trophy
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription65774
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [194-]
- Collection/Fonds
- Field family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) ; 600 ppi
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Willie James Field standing in the centre, accepting a Lawn Bowling trophy with his fellow Burnaby Lawn Bowling Club teammates.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [194-]
- Collection/Fonds
- Field family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) ; 600 ppi
- Material Details
- Item is a scan of a photograph
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 521-007
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2010-14
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Willie James Field standing in the centre, accepting a Lawn Bowling trophy with his fellow Burnaby Lawn Bowling Club teammates.
- Subjects
- Personal Symbols - Trophies
- Organizations
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
![Willie James Field with a trophy, [194-] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/513/521-007.jpg)
![Graduating class at Burnaby South High School; Betty Warburton is third from the right in the front row, [1942 or 1943]. Item no. BV004.82.5. thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/2000/200400820005.jpg?width=280)
Interview with Betty Blair by Eric Damer October 17, 2012 - Track 4
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory299
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1940-1959
- Length
- 0:07:48
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Betty (Warburton) (Atkinson) Blair's memories of events held at the Church, including her own wedding. She discusses her involvement with the church group Canadian Girls in Training. She also discusses her volunteer years at the Burnaby Hospital and her lif…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Betty (Warburton) (Atkinson) Blair's memories of events held at the Church, including her own wedding. She discusses her involvement with the church group Canadian Girls in Training. She also discusses her volunteer years at the Burnaby Hospital and her life when her children were small.
- Date Range
- 1940-1959
- Photo Info
- Graduating class at Burnaby South High School; Betty Warburton is third from the right in the front row, [1942 or 1943]. Item no. BV004.82.5.
- Length
- 0:07:48
- Subjects
- Persons - Volunteers
- Interviewer
- Damer, Eric
- Interview Date
- October 17, 2012
- Scope and Content
- Recording is an interview with Betty (Warburton) (Atkinson) Blair conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 17, 2012. Major theme discussed: life in Burnaby during the war years.
- Biographical Notes
- Betty Warburton (later Atkinson) (later Blair) was born in 1926 and grew up at three different locations on Frederick Avenue in Burnaby. She went to school in Burnaby; first at Kingsway West for two years, then Nelson Avenue and then Burnaby South High School where she completed senior matriculation. After graduation, Betty worked for a few years in Vancouver before marrying her first husband Don Atkinson and raising their children in Burnaby. Betty (Warburton) (Atkinson) Blair has participated in a range of activities from hiking and Girl Guides to volunteer arthritis care. By the nineteen-sixties she had began to learn pottery and take lessons at Mather House in Burnaby.
- Total Tracks
- 6
- Total Length
- 0:59:03
- Interviewee Name
- Blair, Betty Warburton Atkinson
- Interview Location
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Interviewer Bio
- Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.
- Collection/Fonds
- Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
- Transcript Available
- None
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
Images
![Graduating class at Burnaby South High School; Betty Warburton is third from the right in the front row, [1942 or 1943]. Item no. BV004.82.5. thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/2000/200400820005.jpg)
Audio Tracks
Track four of recording of interview with Betty Blair
Track four of recording of interview with Betty Blair
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS171-003/MSS171-003_Track_4.mp3![Hazel Simnett standing in a garden, with a small dog in her arms [194-]. Item no. 549-063. thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/540/549-063.jpg?width=280)
Interview with Hazel Simnett by Eric Damer October 27, 2012 - Track 3
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory401
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1942-1975
- Length
- 0:08:03
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Hazel Simnett's volunteerism and her political activism. Hazel discusses being an organizer for the Burnaby Citizen's Association (BCA) and an active supporter of the libraries in Burnaby. She also discusses what it was like to be a student in the elementar…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Hazel Simnett's volunteerism and her political activism. Hazel discusses being an organizer for the Burnaby Citizen's Association (BCA) and an active supporter of the libraries in Burnaby. She also discusses what it was like to be a student in the elementary school classroom in the nineteen-thirties. Leslie Rossa lends her support to the interview.
- Date Range
- 1942-1975
- Photo Info
- Hazel Simnett standing in a garden, with a small dog in her arms [194-]. Item no. 549-063.
- Length
- 0:08:03
- Subjects
- Persons - Volunteers
- Interviewer
- Damer, Eric
- Interview Date
- October 27, 2012
- Scope and Content
- Recording is an interview with Hazel Simnett conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 27, 2012. Leslie Rossa lends her support to the interview. Major theme discussed: political activism in Burnaby.
- Biographical Notes
- Hazel Simnett was born in Burnaby in 1922 and grew up looking up to her father Frederick Simnett who was very involved in labour and unions. A politically active citizen, Hazel Simnett has supported the Canadian Commonwealth Federation (CCF) and the New Democratic Party (NDP). She once ran as a New Democratic Party candidate for Burnaby City Council. In 2006, Hazel Simnett won the Burnaby Local Hero Award for her volunteer work at the New Vista Society where she served as chair for a number of years. She also served as a member of the Burnaby Historical Society and established the Hazel Simnett Endowment with the Burnaby Public Library to bring a collection of books on Canadian history and social issues.
- Total Tracks
- 4
- Total Length
- 0:36:12
- Interviewee Name
- Simnett, Hazel
- Interview Location
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Interviewer Bio
- Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.
- Collection/Fonds
- Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
- Transcript Available
- None
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
Images
![Hazel Simnett standing in a garden, with a small dog in her arms [194-]. Item no. 549-063. thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/540/549-063.jpg)
Audio Tracks
Track three of recording of interview with Hazel Simnett
Track three of recording of interview with Hazel Simnett
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS171-024/MSS171-024_Track_3.mp3
Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 5
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory476
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1935-1956
- Length
- 00:04:56
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s marriage and move to Burnaby in 1953, and settling at the house near Cliff Avenue United Church in 1956. He talks about his first encounters with volunteering at Ratepayer meetings attended by his father, and in dance and drama activities at s…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s marriage and move to Burnaby in 1953, and settling at the house near Cliff Avenue United Church in 1956. He talks about his first encounters with volunteering at Ratepayer meetings attended by his father, and in dance and drama activities at school.
- Date Range
- 1935-1956
- Photo Info
- Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263
- Length
- 00:04:56
- Subjects
- Persons - Volunteers
- Education
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Lochdale Area
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- March 19, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Merrill Gordon, conducted by Rod Fowler.Gordon Merrill was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Merrill Gordon’s childhood in the Depression, including his story about the family’s difficult trek to Burnaby from Alberta; his education, teachers and first volunteer activities at Grandview High School; his career at Fleck Brothers and the start of his own company Blaze Industries and later work in India; and his many volunteer activities in Burnaby. He describes how he started the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, the soccer club's subsequent growth and development, some of the people involved, and the founding of the youth soccer exchange. He also describes his work on the Parks Board and in the arts community, including the 1987 arts centre referendum, and involvement with the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society (1988- ), and mentions his work for other groups including the New Vista Society, library board, and Burnaby Mental Health Committee. He also talks about his political career with the Better Burnaby Committee and Burnaby Voters Association, resulting in his 1972 election to Burnaby’s 1973 council. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- Merrill M. Gordon was born in Saskatchewan in 1929 to parents farming north of North Battleford. After a fifth year of crop failure the family of four left the farm in 1934 to join relatives living near the corner of Union and Sperling in Burnaby. With little resources the family adapted as well as possible in the Depression years, moving often in the East Vancouver/North Burnaby area in an attempt to better their situation. Merrill’s father obtained work at sawmills including Kapoor’s Sawmill at Barnet, walking to work over Burnaby Mountain. After attending numerous public schools, Merrill Gordon eventually spent three years at Templeton School and then completed his education at Grandview High School of Commerce, majoring in accounting and commercial law. He worked a few years at Canadian Industries Ltd., then joined Fleck Brothers. In 1965 Merrill Gordon and his wife started their own company Blaze Industries of Canada that manufactured wood burning fireplaces, selling the company to AB Electrolux in 1980. After a short retirement, Merrill Gordon went back to work in 1981 for a company manufacturing solar panels, one project taking him and his wife intermittently to India over a four year period. Merrill Gordon helped found the political group Better Burnaby Committee, later the Burnaby Voters Association, with Alan Emmott and Bill Lewarne, ran for Burnaby Municipal Council and served one year as councillor in 1973. Merrill Gordon is well known for his over 40 years of volunteer work in Burnaby, particularly as founder in 1956 and director of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, one of the largest soccer clubs in BC. He was also the founder of Burnaby Youth Soccer and the first youth soccer exchange with Washington State. His other volunteer work includes library trustee, Parks Commissioner (1987-1992), Director of New Vista Home for Seniors, Chair of campaign raising funds for building Shadbolt Arts Centre, and Chair of the Burnaby Mental Health Committee. In 1988 Merrill Gordon, Betty Gordon, Dean Lamont and several others formed the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society, which advocated for the return of unused land to Burnaby from SFU and the subsequent creation of Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. Merrill Gordon and Elizabeth Balfour (nee Leitch) (1926-2012) married in 1953 and had two children.
- Total Tracks
- 11
- Total Length
- 1:31:44
- Interviewee Name
- Gordon, Merrill
- Interview Location
- unknown
- Interviewer Bio
- Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
- Collection/Fonds
- SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track five of interview with Merrill Gordon
Track five of interview with Merrill Gordon
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-020/MSS187-020_Track_5.mp3Interview with Tom Mark by Eric Damer October 12, 2012 - Track 2
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory364
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1946-1965
- Length
- 0:08:24
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Thomas "Tom" Mark's memories of his activities outside of work. He discusses his garden and aviary filled with birds, he and his wife's volunteerism, and his memories of how the Fraser Valley flood of 1948 affected Burnaby.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Thomas "Tom" Mark's memories of his activities outside of work. He discusses his garden and aviary filled with birds, he and his wife's volunteerism, and his memories of how the Fraser Valley flood of 1948 affected Burnaby.
- Date Range
- 1946-1965
- Length
- 0:08:24
- Subjects
- Persons - Volunteers
- Interviewer
- Damer, Eric
- Interview Date
- October 12, 2012
- Scope and Content
- Recording is an interview with Thomas "Tom" Mark conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 12, 2012. Major theme discussed: being a volunteer.
- Biographical Notes
- Thomas "Tom" Mark was born in 1923 and grew up in New Westminster. In 1937 his family moved to Victoria, British Columbia where he finished his schooling and worked for a year in the shipyard before enlisting in the air force. He was stationed in England during the war, and in 1946 he bought a small house in East Burnaby for his English bride and himself. For three years Tom drove a heating fuel truck for Shell Oil and then became the agent for a Shell marine service station on the Fraser River, near the Patullo Bridge. His aviary garnered him the nickname “birdman of Burnaby.” His son attended St. Thomas Moore High School and then Simon Fraser University when it opened in 1965. In 1995 Tom Mark was awarded the Kushiro Cup for Outstanding Citizen of the Year for his volunteer work with the Burnaby Health Department.
- Total Tracks
- 4
- Total Length
- 0:32:43
- Interviewee Name
- Mark, Thomas "Tom"
- Interview Location
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Interviewer Bio
- Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.
- Collection/Fonds
- Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
- Transcript Available
- None
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
Audio Tracks
Track two of recording of interview with Tom Mark
Track two of recording of interview with Tom Mark
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS171-018/MSS171-018_Track_2.mp3Interview with Tom Mark by Eric Damer October 12, 2012 - Track 4
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory366
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1930-1995
- Length
- 0:05:40
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Thomas "Tom" Mark's experiences as a care giver for his wife as well as a volunteer at the Burnaby Health Department. He mentions being awarded Burnaby's Kushiro Cup Citizen of the Year Award in 1995. Tom finishes his interview with a childhood story involv…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Thomas "Tom" Mark's experiences as a care giver for his wife as well as a volunteer at the Burnaby Health Department. He mentions being awarded Burnaby's Kushiro Cup Citizen of the Year Award in 1995. Tom finishes his interview with a childhood story involving his uncle's roadster.
- Date Range
- 1930-1995
- Length
- 0:05:40
- Subjects
- Persons - Volunteers
- Interviewer
- Damer, Eric
- Interview Date
- October 12, 2012
- Scope and Content
- Recording is an interview with Thomas "Tom" Mark conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 12, 2012. Major theme discussed: being a volunteer.
- Biographical Notes
- Thomas "Tom" Mark was born in 1923 and grew up in New Westminster. In 1937 his family moved to Victoria, British Columbia where he finished his schooling and worked for a year in the shipyard before enlisting in the air force. He was stationed in England during the war, and in 1946 he bought a small house in East Burnaby for his English bride and himself. For three years Tom drove a heating fuel truck for Shell Oil and then became the agent for a Shell marine service station on the Fraser River, near the Patullo Bridge. His aviary garnered him the nickname “birdman of Burnaby.” His son attended St. Thomas Moore High School and then Simon Fraser University when it opened in 1965. In 1995 Tom Mark was awarded the Kushiro Cup for Outstanding Citizen of the Year for his volunteer work with the Burnaby Health Department.
- Total Tracks
- 4
- Total Length
- 0:32:43
- Interviewee Name
- Mark, Thomas "Tom"
- Interview Location
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Interviewer Bio
- Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.
- Collection/Fonds
- Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
- Transcript Available
- None
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
Audio Tracks
Track four of recording of interview with Tom Mark
Track four of recording of interview with Tom Mark
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS171-018/MSS171-018_Track_4.mp3![Valleyview Community Centre May Queen, [1940] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/001/009-016.jpg?width=280)
Valleyview Community Centre May Queen
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34081
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1940]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 10.1 x 12.8 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Valleyview Community Centre May Queen and her suite dressed in white with sashes and standing outside on a stage. The Queen is wearing a crown and holding a bouquet of flowers.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1940]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Photographs subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 10.1 x 12.8 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 009-016
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS2007-04
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Valleyview Community Centre May Queen and her suite dressed in white with sashes and standing outside on a stage. The Queen is wearing a crown and holding a bouquet of flowers.
- Subjects
- Events - May Day
- Symbols - Flags
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Canada Way
- Street Address
- 4949 Canada Way
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Morley-Buckingham Area
Images
![Valleyview Community Centre May Queen, [1940] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/001/009-016.jpg)
![Through the Lens of Andy Digney, [between 1934 and 1964] (date of original film), edited and narrated in 2016 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2019_0018_0001_001.JPG?width=280)
Through the Lens of Andy Digney
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10099
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1934 and 1964] (date of original film), edited and narrated in 2016
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (12 min., 17 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., sd., stereo
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a short film featuring a compilation of film footage created by Andy Digney that was edited and narrated by the Burnaby Village Museum. Burnaby resident Andy Digney captured footage of Burnaby and beyond from 1934 to 1964. Highlights within this film compilaton include the constru…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (12 min., 17 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., sd., stereo
- Material Details
- Research and Narration: Lisa Codd
- Editing and Audio Recording: Matthew Ball
- Special thanks to Paul Digney
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a short film featuring a compilation of film footage created by Andy Digney that was edited and narrated by the Burnaby Village Museum. Burnaby resident Andy Digney captured footage of Burnaby and beyond from 1934 to 1964. Highlights within this film compilaton include the construction and events held at the Oak Theatre; Royal visit motorcade of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth; Sports Day at Central Park; Gymcana event at Burnaby Lake Riding Stables; lawn bowling at Central Park; a Depression-era May Day workers’ parade in 1936; May Day celebrations in Burnaby; visits to locations throughout the Lower Mainland, including Stanley Park, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Grouse Mountain and boat trip up Burrard Inlet; the Digney Speedway; the Digney family at their home on Bonsor Avenue and the Digney Bowling Alley.
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Names
- Digney, Andy
- Digney Bowling Alley
- Digney Speedway
- Codd, Lisa
- Oak Theatre
- Burnaby Lawn Bowling Club
- Geographic Access
- Kingsway
- Central Park
- Street Address
- 6521 Bonsor Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV019.18.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [between 1934 and 1964] (date of original film), edited and narrated in 2016
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Related Material
- See also the City of Burnaby Archives "Digney Family fonds" MI catalogue 562.003 for film masters
- Notes
- Title based on contents
- City of Burnaby Archives holds the original Digney film masters (562.003) that this narrated segment was disseminated from. See Digney family fonds
Images
![Through the Lens of Andy Digney, [between 1934 and 1964] (date of original film), edited and narrated in 2016 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2019_0018_0001_001.JPG)
Video
Through the Lens of Andy Digney, [between 1934 and 1964] (date of original film), edited and narrated in 2016
Through the Lens of Andy Digney, [between 1934 and 1964] (date of original film), edited and narrated in 2016
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2019_0018_0001_001.mp4
Jack Nichols at the parade
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38165
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- May 24, 1946 (date of original), copied 1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 2.8 x 4.9 cm print on contact sheet 20.1 x 26.3 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Jack Nichols in costume for a May Day parade. He is standing on a vacant lot between Nelson Avenue and Royal Oak Avenue beside a wagon decorated with a picture of a lion.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- May 24, 1946 (date of original), copied 1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Burnaby Image Bank subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 2.8 x 4.9 cm print on contact sheet 20.1 x 26.3 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 370-752
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1999-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Jack Nichols in costume for a May Day parade. He is standing on a vacant lot between Nelson Avenue and Royal Oak Avenue beside a wagon decorated with a picture of a lion.
- Subjects
- Clothing - Costumes
- Persons - Crowds
- Events - May Day
- Events - Parades
- Transportation - Wagons
- Names
- Nichols, Jack
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- 1 b&w copy negative accompanying
- Negative has a pink cast
- Geographic Access
- Nelson Avenue
- Royal Oak Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Marlborough Area
Images
Interview with Norman Dowad
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19638
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 14 Aug. 2023
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recording (wav) (61 min., 37 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (61 min., 37 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Norman Dowad conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Eric Damer on August 14, 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:14:38 Norm shares biographical information about himself and background information on the Dowad family. Norm conveys information …
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Subseries
- Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recording (wav) (61 min., 37 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (61 min., 37 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewee: Norman Dowad Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: August 14, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:14:37 Digital master recording (wav) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Norman Dowad conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Eric Damer on August 14, 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:14:38 Norm shares biographical information about himself and background information on the Dowad family. Norm conveys information about his grandfather Samuel Dowad's immigration to Canada and his father Wilfred Dowad's military service and successes as a property developer. 00:14:39 – 00:17:26 Norm provides background information on his mother’s side of the family. 00:17:27 – 00:31:36 Norm talks about his childhood, growing up in the Deer Lake neighbourhood, his early education in Burnaby and sports that he played. 00:31:37 – 00:39:59 Norm talks about his educational experiences attending Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia and Osgoode Hall law school and information regarding his law career. 00:40:00 – 00:45:03 Norm reflects on his childhood growing up in Burnaby and on his experiences and relationships as a student and in his career as a lawyer. 00:45:04 – 01:01:37 Norm talks about his siblings and shares information about family property development projects as well as career and business successes. In closing he talks about research that he’s done through Archives Canada on his grandfather Sam Dowad and father Wilfred Dowad.
- History
- Interviewee biography: Norm Dowad was born in Burnaby, December 1948 to parents Wilfred “Wilf” (1925-2011) and Cherry Dowad. His father, Wilfred (1925-2011) was born in Winnipeg to parents Samuel “Sam” (Salim in Arabic) Esper Dowad (1895-1969) and Martha (Shaheen) Dowad (1894-1955). Sam and Martha Dowad were both born in a province of the Ottoman Empire which is now present day Lebanon. In 1912, while trying to immigrate to Canada, several of Sam’s relatives including his mother died tragically as steerage passengers on the ill fated Titanic. In 1913, at the age of 18 years, Sam immigrated to Canada to join other family members who'd already arrived here safely. As a new immigrant in Canada, Sam worked with other Labanese immigrants in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the United States. In December 1921, Sam's wife, Martha immigrated to Canada arriving by ship in St. John, New Brunswick. Sam and Martha established their home in Winnipeg where they began to start a family. Their first two children died in infancy and son Wilfred was born in 1925 and daughter Kathleen was born in 1926. While living in Winnipeg, Sam worked as a grocer and in the 1930’s he got work as a farmer in a nearby town. In 1943, Wilf joined the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RCVNR) and served as a gunner on merchant ships during World War II. In 1945, while Wilf was away serving, his parents, Sam and Martha moved to Burnaby. After discharge in 1945, Wilf joined his parents in Burnaby, began working at Fraser Mills and commenced his studies in construction and drafting. In 1949, with his father’s help Wilf acquired a lot next door to his parents’ home and built his first apartment block. After Martha died in 1954, Sam moved to Kelowna where he bought an orchard. Sam remarried in 1957 to Naomi “Mamie” (David) Dowad (1899-1978) who was also from a Lebanese family. Sam and Mamie lived in Kelowna until the mid 1960s when they moved to White Rock. While living in Burnaby, Wilf met and married Cherry Piggott and the couple had six children; Norm, Bruce, Michael, Kathie, Phil and Tom. In 1955, Wilfred Dowad established "W. Dowad Ltd." and over the years he was successful in developing and subdividing land to build housing and commercial developments in Burnaby, New Westminster and Vancouver. Wilf was the first president of the Burnaby Winter club and was an active member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce holding office at the local, provincial and national level. In 1970, Wilf purchased 238 acres of land bordering the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh River and relocated there the following year. While living in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Wilf became actively engaged in local business and community affairs. Wilf was later remarried to Grethe Dowad and he died in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh in 2011.Wilf's six children are the sole owners of "W.Dowad Ltd." and his daughter, Kathie Smillie is the president and CEO. While growing up in Burnaby, Norm Dowad attended Schou Street School, Douglas Road School, Kensington School and graduated from Burnaby Central Secondary School. Following graduation from high school, Norm attended Simon Fraser University for one year, travelled in Europe, attended University of British Columbia and obtained his law degree from Osgoode Hall at York University. Norman has been practicing law for 49 years and has his own law practice that he operates out of Vancouver. Interviewer biography: Eric Damer is a Burnaby Village Museum Interpreter, Museum Registrar, Researcher and Blacksmith. Eric pounded hot steel for the first time in 1977 in junior high. Fifteen years later, he joined Burnaby Village Museum where he has smithed for three decades. He also provides historical research for museum exhibits and special projects. Outside the museum, Eric is a social historian with a special interest in educational history.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Agriculture - Farms
- Education
- Persons - South Asian Canadians
- Migration
- Sports
- Sports - Football
- Wars - World War, 1939-1945
- Names
- Dowad, Norman W. "Norm"
- Dowad, Samuel Esper "Sam"
- Dowad, Wilfred "Wilf"
- Dowad, Naomi "Mamie" David
- Dowad, Martha Elias Shaheen
- Dowad, Kathleen "Kay"
- Rideout, Dr. John Anthony
- Burnaby Central Secondary School
- Douglas Road School
- W. Dowad Limited
- Responsibility
- Damer, Eric
- Geographic Access
- Buckingham Avenue
- Deer Lake
- Street Address
- 5533 Buckingham Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV023.16.16
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 14 Aug. 2023
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Morley-Buckingham Area
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcription available
Documents
Audio Tracks
Interview with Norman Dowad, [1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 14 Aug. 2023
Interview with Norman Dowad, [1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 14 Aug. 2023
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0016_002.mp3![Parade float, [between 1930 and 1945] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/1985/1985_5331_0002_001.jpg?width=280)
Parade float
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1255
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1930 and 1945]
- Collection/Fonds
- Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.15 x 24.13 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a parade float at night. The float is decorated with vines and streamers and is two tiered at the front. Girls in dresses are riding on the float (some have fans in their hands). All are unidentified and the location is not known.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.15 x 24.13 cm
- Material Details
- .
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a parade float at night. The float is decorated with vines and streamers and is two tiered at the front. Girls in dresses are riding on the float (some have fans in their hands). All are unidentified and the location is not known.
- Subjects
- Transportation - Parade Floats
- Events - Parades
- Persons - Children
- Persons - Chinese Canadians
- Accession Code
- BV985.5331.2
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [between 1930 and 1945]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2024-01-23
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note on verso of photograph reads: "Night picture."
Images
![Parade float, [between 1930 and 1945] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/1985/1985_5331_0002_001.jpg)
![Fund-Raising at Central Park, [194-] (date of original), copied 1992 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/315/315-004.jpg?width=280)
Fund-Raising at Central Park
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36649
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [194-] (date of original), copied 1992
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.5 x 12.6 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a booth at Central Park oval (note the grandstand) set up in order to raise money for the creation of Forglen (Forest Glen) Park. A sign reads, "Forest Glenn Community Association / Help Our Park."
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [194-] (date of original), copied 1992
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Burnaby Centennial Anthology subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.5 x 12.6 cm print
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 315-004
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- BHS1994-04
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a booth at Central Park oval (note the grandstand) set up in order to raise money for the creation of Forglen (Forest Glen) Park. A sign reads, "Forest Glenn Community Association / Help Our Park."
- Subjects
- Persons - Crowds
- Events - Fundraising
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Central Park
- Imperial Street
- Street Address
- 3883 Imperial Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
Images
![Fund-Raising at Central Park, [194-] (date of original), copied 1992 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/315/315-004.jpg)
Interview with Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19604
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1949-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (68 min., 6 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 7 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks. 00:00:00 - 00:13:30 Interview opens with introductions. Samuel (Sam) and Angela Nalliah provide biographical details including their p…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Subseries
- Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (68 min., 6 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 7 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: James Binks Interviewees: Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah Location of Interview: Nalliah family home Interview Date: May 29, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 68 min., 6 sec. Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby Photograph information: Ruth (Angela) Nalliah with husband Samuel Nalliah WARNING: Some of the content discussed in this interview (00:40:58 – 00:57:31) regarding the Tamil genocide may be upsetting to some people.
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks. 00:00:00 - 00:13:30 Interview opens with introductions. Samuel (Sam) and Angela Nalliah provide biographical details including their parentage, place of birth (Sri Lanka), spoken language and education. Sam Nalliah shares details on his education while living in Sri Lanka, his later education in Wales where he obtained a Master’s Degree in Computer Science and his migration to Halifax in 1978 after obtaining a job at Dalhousie University as a systems analyst. Sam conveys how he decided to relocate from Halifax to Vancouver in 1986 and started his employment with BC Tel. Angela Nalliah shares details on her education and employment after immigrating to Canada from Sri Lanka in 1986. Angela conveys how she first lived in Ottawa, moved to Toronto in 1989 where she began working for TD bank and moved to Vancouver in 1999. 00:13:31 – 00:20:03 Sam Nalliah talks about how he and his wife Angela first met and married in 1999 and moved to Vancouver. Sam shares information on where his other family members immigrated to and why he decided to immigrate to Canada. Angela shares information on other members of her family who immigrated to Canada before her and how her uncle sponsored them all to come. 00:20:04 – 00:29:30 Sam provides further details regarding his family make up including; his first wife, his daughters (born in 1983 and 1985), his step daughter (born in 1991) and his youngest daughter (born in 2000). Sam tells how he worked as a Systems and Operations Manager at Shaughnessy Hospital and later at BC Hydro. Sam provides locations of homes that they lived in Burnaby and Vancouver. Sam and Angela describe what they liked about living in Burnaby, where their daughter attended school and where they did their shopping. 00:29:31 – 00:32:11 Angela talks about working for Prospera Credit Union from 2003 after TD bank downsized. Sam describes how they rented out their house in Vancouver and lived in a rental home in Burnaby that was owned by the City of Burnaby. Sam and Angela recollect the time period that they lived in Burnaby and Vancouver before deciding to move to Surrey in 2015. 00:32:12 – 00:35:59 Sam and Angela provide details regarding their daughter’s post-secondary education and careers. Angela talks about her social activities, volunteer work and involvement with the Thamil Cultural Society of British Columbia, the Women’s Network as well as the Westminster Bible Chapel Church in Burnaby and the Green Timbers Evangelical Covenant Church in Surrey. 00:36:00 – 00:40:57 Sam recalls hearing Prime Minster Pierre Elliott Trudeau speak about the Charter of Rights and Freedoms at Dalhousie University and the effect that his speech made on him. Sam talks about joining the National Democratic Party when Peter Julian was elected as a Member of Parliament for Burnaby. 00:40:58 – 00:57:31 (WARNING: Some of the content discussed in this portion of the interview may be upsetting to some people) Sam and Angela speak about their involvement with the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC). Angela describes the brutal violence that she witnessed while living in Sri Lanka during the Anti-Tamil state sponsored genocide in the 1980’s. Sam and Angela recollect and discuss their views and actions pertaining to the MV Sun Sea incident where a Thai cargo ship carrying Sri Lankan Tamil refugees to British Columbia were identified as terrorists by the Canadian Government and held in detention facilities. 00:57:32 – 01:08:07 Sam reflects on what he likes about Burnaby. Angela and Sam talk about Hindu temples attended by many Tamil and Sri Lankan people living in Burnaby and the lower mainland. Angela talks about the many cultural events and celebrations that are celebrated within the Tamil and Sri Lankan community including the Pongal Festival. Angela and Sam reflect on how grateful they are to be residents of Canada.
- History
- Interviewees biographies: Samuel (Sam) Nalliah was born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka in 1949. Sam immigrated to Halifax in 1977 after obtaining a position as a systems analyst at Dalhousie University. In 1986, Sam sponsored his parents to come to Canada. In 1986, after being introduced to the milder weather in Victoria, Sam decided to move to British Columbia. He moved to Burnaby in 1990 and began working for BC Tel in Burnaby. Following his job at BC Tel, Sam worked as a Systems and Operations Manager at Shaughnessy Hospital and later at BC Hydro. Ruth (Angela) Nalliah was born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka in 1964 and immigrated to Canada in 1986. As a Tamil living in Sri Lanka in the 1980’s Angela witnessed first hand the brutal violence during the Anti-Tamil state sponsored genocide. In 1986 Angela was relieved to be able to immigrate to Canada after being sponsored by her uncle. Angela first lived and worked in Ottawa and Toronto before marrying Samuel Nalliah in Ottawa in 1999 and the couple moved to Burnaby. Angela worked for TD bank in both Toronto and Vancouver until it downsized in 2003 and she began working for Prospero Credit Union. While living in Burnaby, Angela attended the Westminster Bible Chapel and after moving to Surrey she became a member of the Green Timbers Evangelical Covenant Church. Sam and Angela Nalliah have four daughters and since moving to British Columbia they’ve lived in Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey. Both Sam and Angela are involved with the Tamil Cultural Association of British Columbia and the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) as well as participates in Sri Lankan and Tamil community cultural events. Interviewer biography: James Binks has lived in the Lower Mainland since 2009 after relocating from Ontario. James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia, where he conducted researched on heritage, environment, and globalization in India, Nepal, and Italy. At Burnaby Village Museum, James contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Education
- Events - Festivals
- Government
- Government - Federal Government
- Migration
- Occupations
- Organizations - Political Parties
- Persons - South Asian Canadians
- Religions
- Religions - Christianity
- Religions - Hinduism
- Rights
- Rights - Human Rights
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Social Issues - Discrimination
- Names
- Nalliah, Ruth "Angela"
- Nalliah, Samuel "Sam"
- Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC)
- Westminster Bible Chapel
- Thamil Cultural Society of British Columbia (TCSBC)
- Responsibility
- Binks, James
- Accession Code
- BV023.16.8
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1949-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcription available upon request - contact Burnaby Village Museum
Images
Audio Tracks
Interview with Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah, 1949-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023
Interview with Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah, 1949-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0008_003.mp3![Valleyview Community Centre celebrations, [1940] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/001/009-019.jpg?width=280)
Valleyview Community Centre celebrations
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34084
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1940]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 10.2 x 12.9 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of costumed children at the Valleyview Community Centre celebrations. One girl is dressed as a cake with two candles. The cake partially reads, "Anniversary / [Valleyview] Fair." There is a crowd watching as the children pass by.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1940]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Photographs subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 10.2 x 12.9 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 009-019
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS2007-04
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of costumed children at the Valleyview Community Centre celebrations. One girl is dressed as a cake with two candles. The cake partially reads, "Anniversary / [Valleyview] Fair." There is a crowd watching as the children pass by.
- Subjects
- Clothing - Costumes
- Persons - Crowds
- Events
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Canada Way
- Street Address
- 4949 Canada Way
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Morley-Buckingham Area
Images
![Valleyview Community Centre celebrations, [1940] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/001/009-019.jpg)